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2016
Mini Lover
Cinderella Homme (난쟁이들, lit. “The Dwarfs”) is an original Korean musical that reimagines classic fairy-tale characters from the perspective of the overlooked dwarfs. After strong domestic success as a small-theatre hit, the show was licensed to China in 2016, marking the first overseas expansion of the title.
English:
Cinderella Homme
Korean:
난쟁이들
Country: China | Language: Chinese
Review
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Premiered in 2015, written and lyrics by Lee Ji-hyun, composed by Hwang Mi-na, directed by Kim Dong-yeon. Produced by PMC Production, later co-produced with RAN Company. First staged at Chungmu Arts Center Black Box Theater in Seoul. Developed through the “Musical House Black & Blue” program and winner of the 3rd Seoul Musical Festival’s Yegrin Encore Grand Prize.
STORY
In a fairy-tale world where princes and princesses take the spotlight, two dwarfs — Charlie and Big — dream of escaping their repetitive mine labor and becoming the heroes of a new story. When they hear about a royal ball where a magical kiss can transform one couple into the next fairy-tale protagonists, they scheme to change their fate. Seeking help from the witch who once aided Cinderella, they attempt to reinvent themselves, igniting a comic and satirical journey about ambition, class, fame, and rewriting one’s story.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2015 – Premiere, PMC Production, Chungmu Arts Center Black
2016 – Second run, Daehakro TOM Theater
2017 – Third run, Daehakro TOM Theater (co-produced with RAN)
2022 – Fourth run, Plus Theater (RAN)
2023–2024 – Fifth run, Plus Theater
2025–2026 – Sixth run, Plus Theater
Acclaimed as a rare small-theater commercial hit, exceeding 200 performances and maintaining repeat revivals.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
China – National (2016)
License contract – non-replica adaptation rights sold to Kaixinmahua Culture Media
In April 2016, PMC Production signed a licensing agreement with Kaixinmahua, one of China’s largest commercial theater companies, marking the musical’s first international rights sale. The deal authorized a full Chinese staging with recreated direction, choreography, costumes, and lighting while retaining the original book and score, and was cited as an early landmark for exporting small-scale Korean originals.
China – Shanghai (2016–2017)
Licensed Chinese-language adaptation – Hongqiao Art Center
Premiered under the localized title 《小矮人们》 in 2016 (Mini Lover Version 1), produced by Kaixinmahua and Happy Twist, with a Chinese cast and newly adapted script and humor. A revised Version 3.0 run followed in Nov–Dec 2017 at the same venue, confirming sustained audience demand and securing the title’s position as a repeatable licensed property in China.
REFERENCES
NamuWiki – Korean production history
https://namu.wiki/w/%EB%82%9C%EC%9F%81%EC%9D%B4%EB%93%A4
Yongin Ilbo – article on China license contract
https://www.yonginilbo.com/news/article.html?no=43552
Douban – Mini Lover 2016 performance listing
https://www.douban.com/location/drama/26874440/
The Musical magazine – feature on China production
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